"Hamburger Science" is an absolutely outstanding way to get kids more interested in science. The key idea is that while they are running the experiment, it won't feel like they are doing science. In this lab, students get a sample of raw hamburger meat and attempt to test the temperature that the meat should be cooked to in order to kill of any bacteria living in the meat. They begin by taking a measurement of the bacteria in the raw meat by swabbing it and inoculating an agar plate. Then, they cut the meat up into three samples and cook each to a certain temperature; 50, 60, and 70 degrees celsius. They swab each sample and inoculate again. Finally, they compare their three agar plates by counting bacteria colonies. The main idea the students are trying to grasp is that cooking meat to a certain temperature (or anything for that matter) will kill the bacteria.
This is a great activity because, as stated before, The kids won't feel as though they are conducting a science experiment. They will just want to cook the burgers. This could also be great because it will probably open up the door for them to start making mistakes. In an environment that they will probably be familiar with (cooking burgers) they will be more relaxed and off their guard when compared to an environment they are unfamiliar with (e.g. dissection of an animal). It can be used as a great teaching tool in that manner. I will definitely be able to apply a lesson like this as a chemistry teacher. I could pick an appropriate type of recipe only instead of giving them measurements in cups and tablespoons, I could give them measurements in moles and have them convert it to grams. If I were a Biology teacher, I would absolutely try to fit this into my curriculum.
Trent, Ann (2004).Hamburger science. The Science Teacher. 35-37. Hamburger Science
This is a great activity because, as stated before, The kids won't feel as though they are conducting a science experiment. They will just want to cook the burgers. This could also be great because it will probably open up the door for them to start making mistakes. In an environment that they will probably be familiar with (cooking burgers) they will be more relaxed and off their guard when compared to an environment they are unfamiliar with (e.g. dissection of an animal). It can be used as a great teaching tool in that manner. I will definitely be able to apply a lesson like this as a chemistry teacher. I could pick an appropriate type of recipe only instead of giving them measurements in cups and tablespoons, I could give them measurements in moles and have them convert it to grams. If I were a Biology teacher, I would absolutely try to fit this into my curriculum.
Trent, Ann (2004).Hamburger science. The Science Teacher. 35-37.
Hamburger Science